Strat tone pot - move to bridge

teleplayer

Hi Guys,

I've been doing a bit of reading this morning and see that a few guys have modded their wiring (just one wire to re-solder) so that the tone pot that usually effects the mid pup, now effects the bridge pup, leaving the middle pup "open". This seems to be a much better option in my head, as the bridge can be a bit harsh and I've never wanted to roll off anything from my middle pup.

I'm considering doing this, but want to hear general thoughts or experiences with this mod before I pull out the soldering iron.

Psean

I added an extra wire so that the middle tone now works the middle and bridge pickups - a master tone for the two. It really helps being able to cut some of the bridge's harshness.

AlanRatcliffe

Yup - it's a great mod, as is the one Psean mentions. For the life of me, I don't know why (other than tradition) they don't do one of them stock in the factory.

teleplayer

I think your website was one of the sources I read this morning, Alan.

I think I'll give it a go when I get a gap, I can't imagine it not being an improvement.

Psean

Alan Ratcliffe wrote For the life of me, I don't know why (other than tradition) they don't do one of them stock in the factory.

+1
It makes the bridge pickup so much more useable.

I must add that I don't really use the middle pickup much but thought I'd leave the tone pot wired to it just in case I do want to use it at a later stage. I would guess that the big difference between the bridge-only vs. bridge+middle wiring options would be in the 'tween positions; I don't really use them much so can't really comment there. I'd say think about how you use each pickup or pickup combo before deciding which mod to go for. Either way I really reccommend going with one of them.

Chabenda

I modded my Strat's three way switch many years ago, turning it into a Les Paul configuration. Using the volume pot for the front and rear pick ups, the first tone pot as a volume for the middle pick up and the second tone pot as a master tone. Cranking up the treble on your distortion pedal and rolling the treble off on the rear pick up gives you some nice sounds and harmonics. It also gives you option of front and rear pickups on at once - á la Telecaster, all three at once or a mix. It really makes for a versatile guitar.

Whichever mod you go for, I doubt that you'll be disappointed!

Sebber

I've done this mod on all my strats, except my custom shop which came with the bridge unit hooked up to the middle pickup's tone pot. I'd recommend getting a notched "no load" pot so that you get the bridge pickup unadulterated when the tone pot's maxed, it also helps with the middle pickup's presence as a "no load" pot is completely out of the circuit when dimed.

teleplayer

I don't want to change too many parts out, as it's part of a limited run and i don't want to devalue the guitar. Seeing as it was only one solder for the initial mod, i can't see that making the guitar worth any less.

Norman86

do it ?

my strat is wired like that.. my custom will be too!